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One of Boris Johnson's deputies Stephen Greenhalgh has announced that he hopes to be the Conservative candidate at the next mayoral election. With Mr Johnson standing down in 2016, Mr Greenhalgh said he hopes to make London a less expensive city to live in:

The people who keep our city alive can no longer afford to live here.
I have the track record and expertise to deliver for them.

– Stephen Greenhalgh, Deputy Mayor

Mr Greenhalgh used to lead Hammersmith and Fulham Council where he reduced the council tax. If he became mayor, he's promising to cut transport fares and create new homes for essential workers. Mr Johnson has backed his decision to stand:

We need the strongest possible field and I am very pleased that Stephen Greenhalgh has decided to contest the nomination after an outstanding career in London government and in his current role as Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

IPCC say 'in the absence of any evidence to indicate that Mr Greenhalgh may have committed a criminal offence', it will not be investigating

The London Authority (GLA) police and crime panel referred a complaint to the IPCC, based on claims made by residents whose homes were facing demolition as part of the regeneration of Earls Court.

They alleged that council officials had offered priority housing to residents if they supported the regeneration.

However the IPCC said it had carried out an assessment that included consulting with police and lawyers and would not launch an investigation. It said:

"The IPCC undertook an assessment of the complaint in order to establish whether it was necessary to conduct a criminal investigation into Mr Greenhalgh.

This involved consideration of material submitted by the complainant, examination of an investigation report compiled by Hammersmith and Fulham Council's auditors,...

...consultation with officers from the Metropolitan Police Service who assessed criminal allegations made against the council officials, obtaining specialist legal advice and inquiries with one resident who was said to have information which referred directly to Mr Greenhalgh.

The IPCC has now concluded that assessment, and in the absence of any evidence to indicate that Mr Greenhalgh may have committed a criminal offence, the IPCC will not be investigating the complaint. The complaint has been referred back to the police and crime panel for its consideration."

Mr Greenhalgh, whose current role means he has the authority to appoint and sack senior officers in the capital, said when the claim was referred to the IPCC: "I am immensely proud of my record as Hammersmith and Fulham Council leader.

These baseless allegations are politically motivated. I refuse to be distracted from my important role as deputy mayor for policing and crime."

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The Mayor's office has made a statement following the news that the Deputy Mayor for Policing, Stephen Greenhalgh, has been referred to the police watchdog over allegations dating back to his time as leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Tonight, City Hall made this response:

"This matter stems from Stephen Greenhalgh's time as Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council. The matter is the subject of an independent investigation commissioned by the Council and carried out by Deloitte's. We understand Mr Greenhalgh is not being investigated as part of this process. When these allegations, which Mr Greenhalgh has consistently said are politically motivated, came to light, Mr Greenhalgh offered his full co-operation to the Council.

The matter has been referred to the IPCC by the GLA's Monitoring Officer in line with standard practice because it falls into the category of a 'serious complaint' under the regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, the monitoring officer is not and has not investigated or judged the matter, he has simply referred it because he is obliged to do so under statutory regulations. The IPCC has made no decision on whether to investigate the matter."

I am immensely proud of my record as Hammersmith and Fulham Council leader. These baseless allegations are politically motivated. I refuse to be distracted from my important role as Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.